Thailand extends visa stays for tourists and students
In a bid to revive its stuttering economy, Thailand's government announced on Tuesday the approval of longer visa stay periods for tourists, postgraduate students, remote workers, and retirees.These new measures aim to enhance the country's crucial tourism sector, a key driver of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy and a significant source of employment.
Starting in June, travelers from 93 countries will be allowed to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, an increase from the current 57 nations, as per government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke.
Additionally, more visitors will qualify for visas on arrival, further facilitating entry into the country.
Foreign postgraduate students will benefit from an additional year of stay upon graduation, and insurance requirements for foreigners seeking retirement in Thailand will be relaxed.
These changes are designed to attract a broader range of visitors and residents, contributing to the nation's economic recovery.
The government’s strategy includes extending stay limits for on-arrival visas from 30 days to 60 days, targeting Thailand's primary and fastest-growing tourism markets.
For digital nomads, self-employed, and remote workers, the validity of visas will be extended to five years, with each stay capped at 180 days, a significant increase from the current 60-day limit.
Thailand's tourism sector has shown promising signs of recovery, with 14.3 million tourists recorded from January to May 26 this year.
The country aims to reach a record 40 million foreign arrivals by the end of the year, generating revenue of 3.5 trillion baht ($95.73 billion).
This target surpasses the pre-pandemic record of 39.9 million arrivals in 2019, which brought in 1.91 trillion baht.
The new visa policies reflect Thailand's commitment to rejuvenating its tourism industry and attracting a diverse range of visitors, thereby supporting the overall economic landscape.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/thailand-extends-visa-stays-for-tourists-and-students/articleshow/110495527.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
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